To The Family of Justin Sisson,
I am a Navy physician. I spent four long, cold, and wet weeks this past December standing shoulder to shoulder with Justin Sisson at Army Basic Airborne Course in Fort Benning, Ga. He was our stick leader. I didn’t know Lt Sisson before Jump School, and I didn’t maintain contact with him after. Nonetheless, the news of his passing has stricken me with profound grief simply because he was a truly remarkable individual.
In the course of my career, both in special operations as well as in medicine, I have been privileged to work with incredibly accomplished and talented individuals. I like to think that my proximity to greatness has endowed me with the ability to discern its presence in others. Without a doubt, Justin Sisson possessed this quality in droves.
Regardless of the circumstances; the discomfort, the repetitiveness, the banality, or the overwhelming exhilaration of the moment, Lt Sisson was always motivated, focused, positive, and genuinely enthusiastic about the task at hand. Even in the most drab moments of our training I could always glean a subtle, childlike grin just under his resolute stare. I never saw him resort to yelling or foul language to express his anger or to malign those he was in charge of. To the contrary, he led by example; with confidence, with outstanding performance, and with positive encouragement. His very nature brought out the best in those around him. Actions were his voice. Words were superfluous. It was clear that he loved his job and to this extent he was great at it.
I had the pleasure of making small talk with him on a multitude of occasions. He was especially accomplished for his age. He had tackled some of the most rigorous training programs in the US military. He had a degree from a great university. He had a clear set of goals for the future and a strategy for achieving them.
Most impressive though, is that even with his long list of accomplishments, and the seeming perfection of his life, he was still humble, honest, grateful, genuine, and grounded. In spite of his own greatness he had a way of making those around him feel bigger, better, and more powerful. This quality is rare to find. I am grateful that I was able to witness. I am grateful for every interaction that I had with Lt Sisson.
To lose a great human being is always a tragedy. To lose a great human being who had the innate ability to inspire greatness in others is devastating.
I send my deepest condolences to his family, his friends, his military unit, and his US Army brethren. Without a doubt and without hyperbole this nation has lost one of its finest. I will remember him fondly.
Anonymous, MD